Sapphire is a dazzling gemstone, famous mostly for its blue color, but still, it is available in a range of shades. It is considered the second hardest next to diamond due to its composition of corundum. As the birthstone for September, sapphire signifies qualities such as divine protection, character, and virtue.
Different sapphire colors, including green and yellow, purple, and orange, depending on mineral inputs like iron, titanium, and chromium. Though the red corundum stones are regarded as rubies, colored sapphire stones, also known as the 'fancy sapphire,' are scarce and available in a range of colors, and hence, each can be considered a separate gemstone.
Sapphire, which is the stone commonly associated with September, has been popular among civilizations since the Middle Ages due to its beautiful blue color associated with divine protection and sound judgment. Greeks looked to its oracle-related qualities for advice; Buddhists respected it for enlightenment; Hindus used it as an object of worship. The early Christian kings appreciated sapphire due to its protective powers, incorporating it into clerical rings.
Originally, sapphires were thought to contain the Ten Commandments for the Hebrews, which many modern academics think was actually lapis lazuli mentioned in the text. Traditional violet-blue sapphire colors, especially those from the Kashmir region of present-day India during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, fetched astronomical prices such as $242,000 per carat sale in 2015.
Sri Lanka was once the source of famous star sapphires, including the Star of Adam and the Star of India; at present, the main producer is Madagascar since the 1990s. The industrial use of synthetic sapphire was started by Auguste Verneuil in 1902 and earned applications in satellites and scientific instruments.
In 1981, Prince Charles gave Lady Diana a 12-karat blue sapphire engagement ring, which was passed on to Kate Middleton in 2010. Today, blue sapphire is still a relatively uncommon gemstone, greatly valued for both its aesthetic and historic properties.
Sapphires are blue stones, but blue is just one of many colors that Sapphires come in; the other colors include green, yellow, pink, and so on. Some sapphires are even known to be of two-tone or possess dichroic properties that change color at different angles.
Here are some key determinants when it comes to sapphire colors:
These aspects have a great impact on color formation in sapphire. Now, let's dig into some popular color options:
Blue sapphire can be in a lighter shade known as "Silver Blue," a medium as "Ceylon Blue," and dark as "Cornflower Blue." The brightest blues are named "Vivid Blue," while the darker ones are identified as "Royal Blue."
Cornflower blue sapphires, particularly the ones that are found in Sri Lanka, have a warm tinge of violet in their hue. Reddish bluish sapphires from the Mogok region of
Burma are mostly royal blue due to a high concentration of iron. It is said that saturation is vital, especially with the brilliant stones piercing the highest bids.
Sapphire gemstones that are not so brightly colored or are more grayish-blue in tone are considered low quality. Awareness of these differences in blue sapphire colors is vital to selecting the finest stone.
Pink sapphires owe their color to trace amounts present in the gemstone, such as chromium, and the shade can vary from pale pink to vivid magenta. Like rubies in their chemical makeup, they range in color from pale pink to deep pink, with some flashes of purple or orange.
High-saturation pink sapphires are almost identical to ruby in terms of color saturation, which makes distinguishing between the two extremely difficult. These sapphire colors are appreciated for their romantic appeal and versatility of color, which is why they are widely used in jewelry.
Sapphire can be found in shades from "Light Yellow" to "Canary Yellow" and "Vivid Yellow." There are also "Yellowish-Orange" sapphires, which are referred to as Mekong Whisky, that have a deep color of orange-yellow, similar to honey. Orange sapphires are bright and vivid, often without yellow undertones.
Green sapphires also go from "Light Green" up to "Vivid Green," and the ones that are in between are referred to as "Medium Green." In the spectrum of green stones, the sapphire green is quite distinct and cannot be compared to emeralds or tourmalines. In terms of saturation and hue, these sapphires are quite diverse, but 'Mint Green' is the most sought-after one.
Purple and violet sapphires owe their color to vanadium and are medium-dark reddish-purple to violetish-purple. Unlike other gems, their primary hue is always purple, reflecting their rarity and spiritual symbolism. These sapphire colors are also well acclaimed for their healing qualities like calmness and spiritual enlightenment.
White sapphires, also known as the "Colorless Sapphire", are completely or partly white or may have shades of "Champagne" or a hint of blue, yellow, or pink. These sapphires are an excellent diamond substitute with their additional flair and lower cost.
Other special types of sapphires include Padparadscha sapphires, which are named after the lotus flower and possess both orange and pink shades. Mainly found in Sri Lanka but also infrequently seen in Madagascar and Tanzania, authentic Padparadschas are defined by exact color standards and uniform distribution; they are not enhanced other than by heat treatment.
Color Change Sapphires appear to be Blue-purple in daylighting, violetish-purple, or reddish-purple in incandescent light. Some of them turn from green to reddish-brown and are commonly referred to as the Corundum Chameleon.
Pastel sapphires are light-toned and have low saturation, which means they can come in pastel blue to gentle colors like mint or pale pink. These sapphire colors are famous among the younger groups of jewelry lovers due to their trendy looks and brilliance, and they are mined in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Montana.
Teal sapphires originating from Montana in the United States of America have a color that varies from medium blue to green. Their rich teal color, excellent durability, and mystical significance make them highly demanded in global jewelry markets.
While both stones, Sapphire and Ruby, are made from corundum, their coloring differs significantly. Ruby, named for its rich red color, is determined by the chromium substitution of aluminum ions in the lattice. Unlike rubies, sapphires come in a wide range of colors, including blue, pink, orange, yellow, green, and purple, depending on the amount of trace elements.
Ruby or sapphire may be pink corundum, based on the location they found. For instance, at Myanmar's Mogok Stone Tract, rubies occur in marble and sapphire in granitic pegmatites or corundum syenites.
This scientific difference relates to how exactly the same mineral from the earth's mantle can yield different gemstones of different values based on their peculiarities. Each stone, whether it's the fiery attraction of rubies or the refreshing grandeur of sapphires, exemplifies nature's complex skill in gemology.
In summary, when selecting a sapphire, evaluating the following factors ensures finding a gemstone that not only meets aesthetic preferences but also retains its value and allure over time.
Sapphire, usually linked to blue color, encompasses various ranges of colors and quality levels. The richness and uniformity of color play a critical role in determining its value.
Any sapphire that is not blue is known as fancy sapphire and can come in almost all colors, namely pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, and violet, but not red since that is ruby.
People choose sapphire colors for various purposes, such as healing rings, ceremonial purposes, religious causes, gifting, symbolism, or simply for fashion.
The defaults in sapphires can be of different forms, for instance, long, thin mineral inclusions called needles. When these needles are fine and consist of rutile in a crossover arrangement, the assemblage is called silk.
Some clarity characteristics used in sapphires include mineral crystals, fingerprints, color zoning, and mineral banding.
In corundum, rutile needles, or silk, can produce a star effect. In most cases, inclusions are known to devalue sapphire gemstones, particularly when they cause the gemstone to be more susceptible to breakage.
Nonetheless, there are some sapphires, for instance, those from Kashmir, that get even more value from the minute inclusions that give it a velvet look. These inclusions do not interfere with the dispersion of light in a way that might cause the sapphire colors to appear cloudy or opaque.
The shape of a rough sapphire crystal significantly impacts the final shape and size of the polished stone. Generally, abrasive sapphires grow in hexagonal prismatic barrel- or spindle-shaped structures.
Some of the most important considerations for jewelers when cutting sapphires include the right shade, correct size, and maximum mass. This entails relative factors such as color zoning, pleochroism, which is the capacity of the gem to display different shades when seen under varying angles, and the lightness or darkness of the crystal.
They help cutters decide on the right positioning and methods of slicing to make the sapphire more alluring and valuable.
Sapphires come in a wide range of sizes, from minuscule fractions of a carat to several hundred carats. However, the majority of blue sapphires in the market today are not more than 5.00 carats in weight. The blue sapphires of finer quality and in bigger sizes are almost a rarity but are relatively easier to access when compared to Burmese rubies of similar quality.
For example, the large blue sapphire that is set in the center of the Vagabonde Bleue Ring, made in 2011 by Fabergé Ltd., is 18. 79 carats.
However, there are big commercial-grade blue sapphires but they are still comparatively rare compared to their smaller counterparts, which influences the supply and demand prices dramatically, especially in the market of high-quality sapphires.
It is important to take into account the purpose of the sapphire jewelry and the personality of the wearer or to whom the jewelry is intended. Here's a guide to help you make the right choice:
Sapphire engagement rings present a classic option over conventional diamonds. They represent care and devotion, which are ideal for conveying eternal love.
Sapphire jewelry pieces include sapphire necklaces and pendants, which are both timeless and chic. They may be used to complement formal outfits for a special occasion or to be used regularly based on the design of the piece and the situation.
Sapphire earrings and bracelets compliment any outfit and give it an air of glamor. Whether the style is studs or dangle, simple wrist bands, or chunky cuffs, sapphires work well for both types of jewelry.
Sapphire colors, often associated with wisdom and serenity, this is a truly remarkable gemstone.
Owing to their versatility in color and style, sapphires are perfect for engagement rings, necklaces, earrings, or bracelets. Choosing the right sapphire demands attention to its meaning and alignment with your needs. This ultimate gemstone can be the perfect addition to your collection, adding some much-needed ‘oomph’ to your jewelry box!
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